Courier View Pikes Peak
1-PPCV 12.4.13
Teller County, Colorado • Volume 52, Issue 49
December 4, 2013
75 cents
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourtellercountynews.com
Foreclosures down in Teller County By Pat Hill
phill@ourcoloradonews.com A reflection of an improving economy, foreclosures are down in Teller County this year. With 86 to date, 36 of them during the third quarter, the number of people whose homes have gone into foreclosure is significantly down, said Bob Campbell, county treasurer and public trustee. In a report to the board of county commissioners on Nov. 27, Campbell predicted that by year end residential foreclosures would be down by 40 or 50 percent from 2012. “Our county ranks with about every other county,” Campbell said. For the third quarter, as a result of fees
and interest collected because of the foreclosures, the county budget shows a transfer of $18,638 from the operating to the general fund, Campbell said. On another issue, the commissioners took note of the resignation of state Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, that morning. The subject of a recall effort because of her vote for gun-control measures, Hudak resigned before she could be recalled. “I thought that was an interesting move on behalf of the Democrats to preserve that seat,” said Commissioner Marc Dettenrieder. “I guess the writing might have been on the wall with the recall effort for her seat.” “Of course this means there will be a Democrat legislature, Democrat senate
and Democrat governor for another legislative session,” Commission Chair Dave Paul said. “So we will not dodge the bullet we were hoping to had she been recalled and replaced by a Republican.” Predicting one more legislative session without a conservative balance, Paul vowed to keep a close watch on the bills that come before the Legislature next year. Of particular concern, he said, is the way gaming taxes are apportioned. The current split is 80 percent for Gilpin County and 20 percent for Teller County. Gilpin attempted to change the percentages to a 90/10 split but lost a lawsuit in the court of appeals. Paul is concerned that the issue will come up again and the Democratic major-
ity would vote for a revision. “I was hoping that Evie would stick it out and lose the fight so we could put a stop to that before the session started.” On another issue, county administrator Sheryl Decker announced that the county has signed an intergovernmental agreement with the city of Woodland Park concerning the transfer of building permits to the city, when applicable. “Our biggest goal in this is not to disrupt the builders and property owners,” Decker said. “The agreement allows the county to finish up some projects through Dec. 31.” The IGA affects about 110 open projects in the county that will be transferred to the city, Decker said.
Dozens of volunteers showed up for kitchen duty Nov. 27 at the Aspen Mine Center to help prepare a turkey dinner for 350 people. Everybody in town was invited.
Aspen Mine hosts annual dinner In a record-setting accomplishment, 15 volunteers served 450 turkey dinners, with all the trimmings, at the annual free Thanksgiving meal on Nov. 27 at the Aspen Mine Center. A popular event, the meal attracts Cripple Creek employees, police officers, firefighters and a range of people throughout the community. The total number served beat last year’s record of 330. “We were making green bean casserole on the fly,” said Rob McArthur, who heads up the kitchen patrol every year. See additional photo on Page 5. Photos by Pat Hill POSTAL ADDRESS
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The Sprague family spent the morning of Nov. 27 making centerpieces for the tables at the Aspen Mine Center for an elegant touch to the free Thanksgiving dinner that day. From left, the 16-year-old twins, Jordan and Hunter, and Lois.